When you are in the throes of a workplace injury or illness, worrying about your workers’ compensation benefits can be another layer of stress that you just don’t need.

Any delay in those payments can add to your challenges, and working through the system is not always intuitive or easy.

However, an experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help you – initially and if your benefits get delayed. We have strategies and the knowledge to help you during this time.

Here are three things to do if your workers’ compensation benefits get delayed.

1. Understand the why. Your benefits can get delayed for any number of reasons and sometimes, understanding the why is key to getting the system moving again. Generally, your payments can stall because of issues with your paperwork, documents have not been filed where they should have been, your employer disputed your claim or there is an issue with your medical records.
2. What can you do? When you realize there is an issue with your benefits, your best bet is to hire a qualified and experienced attorney to step in and help you understand and navigate the process. An attorney can help explain the system, find out what the issues are and help resolve them efficiently and communicate with the powers that be (your employer’s attorney and the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation) to get you the benefits you deserve.
3. Resolve the issue. Once you realize there is an issue, you or your attorney can review all paperwork to ensure it is completed and submitted correctly, speak to your employer’s attorney and respond to any requests by the BWC. An attorney will know the actions to take and get the ball rolling for you.

Solving the problem of delayed workers’ compensation benefits – especially if you are recovering from an illness or injury – is something you don’t want to tackle alone, as it often means missed or unreturned phone calls, confusing information, lengthy paperwork requirements and a challenging set of steps to take.

A qualified attorney can step in and manage the system, especially if there needs to be a hearing due to a dispute over your claim or benefits.

Connor Kimmet and Hafenstein LLP

If you or someone you love is facing an issue with delayed benefits, we can help. We have a qualified attorney for you. Contact us today.